Sunset Boulevard Opens at Palm Canyon Theatre with Local Stars in Iconic Roles

A legendary Broadway musical is coming to life on stage in Palm Springs.

Sunset Boulevard opens Friday the 13th at Palm Canyon Theatre, bringing the dramatic story of fading Hollywood fame and ambition to local audiences. Two of the show’s stars, Se Layne and Tara Howard, recently stopped by NBC Palm Springs to talk about the production and what makes this version special.

Se Layne takes on the iconic role of Norma Desmond, the reclusive silent film star determined to return to the spotlight. While the role is famous in musical theater, Layne says this is her first time portraying the character.

She describes the production as an exciting opportunity to work alongside a talented cast, including Tara Howard, Mark Almy, Christian Quevedo and other experienced performers bringing the intense musical to life.

Howard plays Betty Schafer, a young writer caught up in the story’s complicated relationships and ambitions. She says Sunset Boulevard has long been one of her favorite musicals and that joining the production has been a dream role.

Howard recalls seeing the show in New York in the 1990s starring Betty Buckley and says that performance left a lasting impression. She adds that audiences can expect a powerful performance from Layne’s portrayal of Norma Desmond.

Palm Canyon Theatre casts its productions primarily from local talent, drawing performers from the community to fill roles throughout its busy season. The theatre typically produces about a dozen shows each year.

Sunset Boulevard runs Thursday through Sunday with evening performances Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m.

Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.